Bittersweet Bakery

I used to live right around the corner from Bittersweet Bakery. I stopped in several times for their lunch plates — one plate on offer a day — or a more typical coffee & muffin breky combo. Gravois is busy but this is an easy walk from McKinley Heights, and if memory serves there’s a bike rack, or in any case a fence that will suffice. The biz is local, the food is fresh, the service is friendly, you rarely have to wait, and you can perch in the window while you nosh and watch the world wizz past. Solid four stars.

I finally got a chance to hit up Bittersweet Bakery today! I have been wanting to try this place for ages but it’s always closed when I want to go there! Not today, muwhaha! Turns out they get more business on the weekend so they don’t close ’till 6pm on Saturdays but on weekdays they close at 2pm! Hard for someone like me who has class all morning! :(But anyway!
We were greeted by a cute little lady who was picking up some dishes, I assumed left over from brunch/​breakfast… she was SUPER sweet and helpful and even gave me some great tips on baking. She allowed me to sample some of their house-​made ice cream. I couldn’t decide if I liked Crème Anglaise or Pistachio. I ended up getting a mini chocolate cake instead of ice cream because I was still a bit full from the tea I had at the London Tea Room a bit earlier to arriving at Bittersweet.
Anyhoo. Here comes the bad part of the review… I got the cake home and I took it out of it’s cute little box. I quickly wrestled with my silverware drawer for a fork because I was excited to try the much-​raved about Bittersweet Bakery cake… I stuck the fork in, took a bite, and… MEH.
I didn’t like the light brownish grey frosting stuff on top. It’s supposed to be chocolate-​flavored (?) frosting…? It was very lacking in flavor. It tasted like it could really use some vanilla extract or something. Maybe it does have some vanilla extract in it… but if it does, it must be minimal. The cake underneath tasted like standard chocolate cake you’d get for dessert at like… Applebee’s or something. Inside, it had chocolate filling that seemed more chocolate-​y than the top frosting… but not by much. It was such a letdown! The cupcake I had yesterday at Sweet Art totally blew this cake out of the water, like hardcore! Maybe I am just a fan of lighter cakes? I dunno. I felt sort of sad because – to use the most overused phrase on Unilocal ever – «I wanted to like this place!» lol. Or at least their food. The place itself is pretty cool… friendly service and it’s well-​decorated and clean!
I probably should have let the cake warm up a bit because it was cool when she boxed it up but it was pretty hot in my car and I figured that would be sufficient time to get it to be the proper consistency. But alas. Even if it was at room temp, I seriously doubt I would have liked the frosting. I am sure it’s just a matter of personal taste, of course, as a lot of the reviews for this place are stellar and people seem to dig their pastries and cakes. But yeah. Sorry. Not me. I might come back for the ice cream which, by the way, is the only reason why this place is getting a ⁴⁄₅ stars from me. That and the exceptional service I received from the young lady working there. She is definitely very knowledgeable about baking! And she put with my indecisiveness!
Maybe if I go back I will try an ice cream float or maybe a different kind of pastry.

Stopped in while visiting St. Louis. My friend had the vanilla bean buttermilk cake, and it was very good. Great flavor; inside was filled with a warm, creamy vanilla sauce that just kind of oozed out as you cut into it. Yum!
I had one of the savory pastries — the Goat’s Cheese — which is filled with goats cheese and an herb blend. Sooooo good. The pastry was flaky and the cheese wasn’t overpowering. I have to find a place around here that sells something so good.

Bittersweet is one of my favorite new establishments to pop up in the last year. It’s nice to have a bakery that does more than cupcakes. I’m so sick of cupcakes. And mini cupcakes. And cake pops. And any other rebranding of good old fashioned cake that the Food Network has deemed the «next big thing». But I digress.
I appreciate Bittersweet for their contemporary takes on classic baked goods. The caramel/​sea salt/​banana bread is a favorite of mine, as well as the glorious morning muffin. Everything is very rich and good for sharing.
They excel at presentation. The cakes in the case are beautiful, especially the mini-​versions. These are baked goods I would serve to impress someone.
Also, their space is pretty neat. It’s not the most convenient bakery/​breakfast establishment to where I live, but every time I go there it feels like I’m treating myself and trying something special.

Another one of the best chocolate chip cookies I’ve had in a while. I’d been to the bakery back when I was just visiting St Louis and tried two desserts I never would have if it wasn’t for my boyfriend trying to be adventurous (and they really were good!) but this time I went for the classic cookie.
It breaks away in the best way, chewy, slightly crunchy, with great chunks of chocolate chips. Seriously addictively delicious.
Apparently, you can’t buy ice cream «a la mode» unless you purchase something from behind the counter, but you can still purchase ice cream at the regular price. I wish the cashier had specified that I could still purchase some because I was dying to try the mint white chocolate flavor.
Ah well, next time!

First, the Pros:
The fresh bagels (everything and asiago) were delicious.
The coffee was perfectly fine. Not the best, but I’ve definitely had worse.
The blueberry muffin was beyond delicious
The Cons:
They have an intense, seriously gross ant problem, at least on the window breakfast bar.
After ordering, it took ten+ minutes to get our food (which was just a muffin and 2 bagels) which would normally not be a problem except for that it took another 20 minutes to get our coffee order. This seems excessive to me. The muffin and bagels were cold by the time the coffee finally arrived.

Man, this place is great.
I love bragging about it every chance I get: I was literally their first customer.
I’d jogged by the place a few times as they were working on it, thinking «Damn, it’s gonna be cool to have a bakery in the neighborhood»… Then I FINALLY saw the «Now Open» sign one morning, and figured I’d stop in for a donut after my run.
(I know, it’s kinda stupid to be thinking about donuts every time you’re out jogging… but you probably have flaws too… so don’t judge.)
Well this is definitely not a corner donut shop… it’s one of those super-​hip little places you love to stumble across; where the people love what they do, and manage to turn something as simple as «baked goods» into an extraordinary treat that you’ll remember.
It absolutely blew me away.
Just standing there for the first time, and seeing everything they had to offer… all the lovingly-​baked delectables, artfully-​arranged on the counter in front of you… smelling the fresh-​baked goodness… trying to decide what you’re going to succumb to, while you’re chatting with the friendly people that run the place… it’s an experience, in and of itself.
And the food lived up to it, in ways I can’t even describe.
I was seriously addicted to the place right away… must have gone in there every morning for the next three weeks, just because I had to try everything I saw the first day… and that tricky pastry-​chef just coming-​up with more treats to tempt me with.
It was like my own personal heaven and my own personal hell, all rolled into one (the name suddenly makes more sense, now that I think about it like that)…
Anyway, long story «less long», I had to make myself stop going, and it was a painful decision for me to make… felt like I was breaking-​up with a girlfriend or something (without any of the awkward «come get your CD’s from my roommate when I’m at work» business… but brutal, nonetheless)… I just didn’t have time to jog the extra 5 miles every day, to work-​off all the yummy goodness I was subjecting myself to.
They have healthier options too, obviously… amazing quiches with mixed-​greens on top, for instance… I’m just a weak-​willed chump who can’t leave the hand-​pies and brownies alone.
It’s a personal flaw… Please don’t judge these fine folks harshly for my failings.
Go there yourself, as soon as you can.
It’s definitely worth it.
(copied from my original review on 2÷11÷10, on an account that I’m deleting)

Happiness is living less than a mile from Bittersweet Bakery.
Great space. I covet their beautiful huge rustic wood tables. The people have always been super friendly and helpful. It just feels good to hang out there.
The food is excellent. Here’s the rundown of what I’ve tried so far:
Creamed eggs with toast – perfect on a cold morning
Blue Onion Pastry – flaky, savory and delicious
Blueberry Muffin – tons of fruit and very moist
Roasted banana bread – this was the least of my favorites, seemed lacking
Chocolate chip cookie – warm and gooey yumminess
Salty caramel ice cream – need I say anymore about that?
And drum roll please… they have gluten free items!!!
For my celiac sweetie they offer flourless chocolate cake and beautiful amaretti cookies. Both of which are excellent.
This place is full on fabulous.

«It feels like Paris out here!» I gushed.
«That’s because it’s gray! Now come on, let’s go!»
In their attempt to fix our bathroom light, my landlady and her boyfriend blew out most of the power in my apartment. Refusing to make coffee on our living room floor, from one of the few remaining working outlets, my roommate and I did the only sensible thing: we breakfasted at BitterSweet Bakery.
We’ve decided that perhaps losing power now and then wouldn’t be so bad, since breakfast at BitterSweet totally makes up for having to pee, or put your mascara on, in the dark.
I’m not sure what Kelly B is talking about, because at 7:30 a.m., we were greeted by the most delightfully charming patisserista* I have met in a long time. While she couldn’t produce the promised Sweet Brie and Pear savory pastry, she made up for it with her charm and care. And, the bacon and gruyère cheese was not a shabby second place prize. The coffee was great, the double cherry white chocolate biscotti was perfectly biscotti-​like, the space is light, airy, and inviting.
I cannot wait to return for a salted caramel ice cream sandwich, a macaroon, or a whimsical cupcake.
Hooray for BitterSweet!
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* The word «patisserista» is copyright 2010 by Meg Olson. All rights reserved.

Finally, a truly wonderful bakery in the City of St. Louis.
Everything at Bittersweet is amazing. From fabulous cakes and pies to favorites like chicken pot pie.
The staff is friendly and helpful. And the atmosphere is perfect.
The coffee is average at best — but maybe with a bit of arm-​twisting, we can get them to switch to Kaldi’s Coffees and raise their rating to 5-​stars!
Truly, you can’t go wrong here!

Decadent desserts — Check
Good Coffee — Check
A few warm savory goodies — Check
Service — Not so much
So, Bittersweet has been a great local spot. I can’t eat bakery goods every day. So, I would say I’m an irregular regular.
Because I’m not there all of the time, I don’t get to know staff on a first name basis, and they tend to change. Last time I was in, I walked into an empty restaurant and was greeted and helped immediately by a new guy (new for me). As my order was wrapped, out comes tattoo girl. Tattoo girl sat at the register and began laughing and joking with some guys who just came in. Apparently, they work in the building.
«New guy» employee finished wrapping my food and said, I’ll meet you at the register to check you out. After walking over to the register, I waited for five fricking minutes while «tattoo girl» blocked the register to socialize with her customers without making eye contact with me.
Then, she pretended I wasn’t there and ordered «new guy» to go fetch the new customers some food. He ran off to do that while I stood there waiting to be checked out. She chatted with the guys at the register a bit longer, then exited to the kitchen without checking me out or making eye contact. I stood there and waited for «new guy» to finish fetching the other customers food, check them out, and finally check me out when the store was empty again. Thanks! I feel warm and fuzzy about my welcome wagon and will hurry back… NOT

Interesting. I was actually reading the reviews while I was sitting, waiting for my food. I read several comments about bad FOH, I don’t know if that girl quit or what, but the cashier I had was very nice.
Love the space, it is all Christmas-​y now, but even when it’s not… it’s open, airy, and clean.
I’ve been stalking this place for a week or two. My job changed offices and I drive past it quite often. Originally I was looking for a restaurant called «Polar Wave Ice and Fuel» which is bigger than Bittersweet Bakery on the building.
I then learned that they don’t have a regular lunch menu, but they DO post it on fb everyday. So I friended them and waited. Unfortunately I missed out on something that sounded excellent because I forgot to check fb before making my lunch plans. The next day I was determined to try it, save for something icky in the title.
So today’s chalkboard outside and fb says «Roast Beef & Avocado *Squash and Sweet Potato Soup» Am I the only one that reads that and thinks they would be served together? Being a newbie, and overwhelmed with the huge menu, I walk in (no one else was there) and say «I would lunch please, how much does it cost?» Again, since lunch is not regular item prices are not included… At any point of this conversation I would have expected her to say, would like soup also, or without soup it costs this. I get my food, it is a large sandwich with a small array of greens and a very tasty salad dressing.
LOL I’m harping on my lack of soup because I’m sick. I would have equally enjoyed Bread Co, just a few blocks in the other direction, just to get soup!
The food was great, I am full. So I do think I’m okay with the proportions. The food was so pretty when it came out, I almost didn’t want to eat it. The sandwich was 80% hard bread. I believe it was hard on purpose, not like old bread… but the 2 slices and the meat in between and the avocado was way to big for my mouth! I ended up tearing it apart and not eating all of the bread.
I cannot wait to go back for lunch, and this time order soup! :)

I took my crew to Bittersweet to use our Hot Sauce deal ($ 5 for $ 12 I think). We each ordered a little sweet — one got the lemon buttermilk cake, one got the bittersweet chocolate cake, one got chocolate buttermilk cake. I got Salty Caramel ice cream (caramel ice cream with sea salt, butter, and roasted cashews) and we all agreed it was the best item by far. However, there’s so much ice cream that you really need a friend — or two! — to help eat it. I got a cup, not a cone; that might make a difference.
The second best item was the bittersweet chocolate cake, and it was a very close second. Delicious — tasted like truffles. Unbelievably rich, just moist enough, very very good. The buttermilk cakes were fine but the «italian buttercream» on top was very hard, and felt a little lardy on the tongue. None of us cared for it. But we did like that there was a nice little filling inside both cakes. The lemon curd was delicious, it was perfect, really.
We saw many things on the menu we’d like to try, but since it was Saturday night they were out of several items. I don’t hold that against a place that bakes fresh daily — of course they don’t want extra stock sitting around. So we’ll probably go back from time to time for a tasty treat. They obviously make everything with great care, and I’m a big fan of supporting a local business and willing to pay a little extra for high-​quality ingredients prepared with care. Maybe we’ll try them for brunch some time.
Note: One reviewer says the pastry are laid out so you can sneeze on them. Only the display pastries are laid out that way — they actually serve you from under the counter. So no fears. I actually really appreciate that you can get up close & personal with the items as you ponder your choice.

May I never eat another doughnut again.
Someone brought in a selection of BitterSweet Bakery goods to the office today to celebrate someone else returning to the office after two months of baby leave.
He told us that we had to try the chocolate filled croissant, that they were amazing. He didn’t lie. The croissant itself doesn’t look all that appealing, but once it’s in your mouth, you’ll swear off a lifetime of doughnuts.
I’m totes going back here for more before or after a lunch at Blues City Café!

LOVE this place! I kind of fell in love the moment I walked in. The space is incredibly bright, clean, and fresh. I’m sure it helped that I went in early on a Saturday before it was filled with people, but still. I was actually surprised I was the only person in the entire shop.
As mentioned, the pastries are all laid out on display, which while visually pleasing I actually found a little strange as anyone can just lean over all the goods or sneeze, etc. since there’s no barrier. But whatever. I ordered the biscuits and gravy for $ 5.50. It was a very large portion and it was fantastic. Definitely the best I’ve had in a long time. Strangely enough it came with a side salad, which I didn’t eat. It also came with very fresh cantaloupe, one strawberry, and half a kiwi. Throw in an orange juice and my entire meal was about $ 7.50.
The girl working behind the counter was very nice and I can’t wait to go back to try out their pastries and cakes, which look amazing. A whole cake is pretty pricey, but probably worth it for a special occasion. I’ll have to try it and find out.

We stopped here after Hodaks looking for Gooey Butter Cake, Which several friends told me was a St. Louis must try. The Counterperson told me they didn’t make it! Shrugging off my disappointment I ordered two interesting chocolate cookies. They turned out to be a cross between a cookie and a brownie. They were rich, soft and Delicious! They are wheelchair accessible, but you have to enter through the building entrance and not their direct entrance. If anyone knows if I can Mail order a Gooey Butter Cake please let me know!

Oh, Bittersweet Bakery. I really REALLY wanted to fall in love with you. I really did.
The good things: The space is really cool. I love how they have all of the pastries and goodies displayed. The employees were really friendly.
I came in for lunch and ordered the sauteed wild mushroom and gruyère quiche, the bacon and cheese savory pastry, and sticky bun bread pudding.
The bacon and cheese pastry was probably the highlight of my meal. It had a nice flaky crust, and the warm gooey cheese went along nicely with the thick, chewy bacon. Although it was the tastiest thing I ate at Bittersweet, it was still missing something. I’m not exactly sure what that something was.
Next was the quiche. It was topped with a citrus herbed salad that amounted to a few leaves of spinach and a couple of dried cranberries; it was quite forgettable. The quiche itself was creamy, and there were plenty of mushrooms spread throughout. The crust was my favorite. It was rich and buttery. Although tasty, the quiche was honestly too rich for me, and I could only eat half.
I saved what I thought would be the best for last. The sticky bun bread pudding. I am a bread pudding FANATIC. I love the stuff. Even when it’s bad, it’s usually pretty good.
Well…this wasn’t BAD, per se… but it wasn’t very good. It was topped with caramel and candied pecans, which were pretty yummy, but it didn’t have that ooomph I’m looking for. Even though the girl working the counter popped it in the microwave, it could have stood to be a little hotter. It was just… forgettable. Like everything else here.
I feel bad giving this place only three stars, especially when everyone else had such good experiences. I was just expecting a LOT more. It was good, but not GREAT. I honestly don’t know if I’ll come back.

Our brunch intention yesterday was to try Luvy Duvy’s, but alas they are closed on Sundays. Boooooo! Will have to give ‘em a go some other time…
Pulled out the trusty iPhone and did a quick search for brunch nearby. Bittersweet came up on the list and I haven’t been here yet. Skrrrt over to Gravois…
I’ve driven by BitterSweet several times but have never gone in. I know they’re adjacent to an aerial studio and recording studio, so right away they get cool points. Walk in, and it’s beautiful inside. Simple, but pretty.
Their special brunch menu this past Sunday offered some sort of breakfast casserole, and I avoid the word «casserole» at all costs. Next on the menu was banana nut bread pudding with a side of apple chicken sausage. Sold!
Food came out quickly and it was very, very sweet. I think they put maple syrup on top of the banana nut goodness… it probably would have been better without it! Other than that, the food was good.
My suggestion to BitterSweet? Don’t put everything out on the front counter — it’s really overwhelming! Just make sure to have a menu (either a dry erase board or paper version) available — no need to put EVERYTHING out on display. OK, keep the cupcakes and put a few other items out. But that’s it. Makes us simple folk confused…
I would love to come back and try the baked goods — looked and smelled amazing. And I’m a sucker for something sweet!

Good God this is such a beautiful space! And a counter full of tasty treats! This place is a little different because the pastries are laid out on a counter, not under glass, not behind a sneeze-​guard. They’re all right there in front of you to smell and examine with yer eyes. (No, they don’t just give you what’s on the counter. You get your items fresh.) But it’s a unique marketing concept.
When we visited, we had just had lunch at home, so I didn’t try any of their meal items. I had a cinnamon molasses cookie and Tricia had a peanut butter. Both were delicious, and pretty reasonable at a buck fifty each. The cakes in the glass case are eye-​poppingly gorgeous, with smaller cupcake size portions you can buy at a smaller price (around $ 5.50 a cupcake, which sounds high, but may be completely worth it.)
It looks like homemade ice cream will be coming shortly. The flavors they have written on their board are gonna be so fucking good… I can’t wait!

Go here. Now!
Bittersweet was my breakfast stop before embarking on a road trip and I stood at the counter dumbfounded. Everything on display seemed to be made with all the love and attention a proper pastry shop should put into their product, and then some.
Since it was breakfast, and since it was me, I immediately went for something savory: a chorizo quiche. It was served with some field greens on top, and was delicious! It certainly featured the chorizo, with some roasted red bell pepper.
Absolutely lovely.
I had one complaint, though. The dish was too small, and my clumsy sasquatch hands had a little trouble cutting the pastry, while still keeping it on the plate. But that’s just me in the morning, pre-​caffeine and super hungry.
Bittersweet has a very comfy, homey atmosphere, with seating that’s meant to be shared with other groups. I suggest sitting at one of the tables instead of the director’s chairs that line the window counter. Again, I’m a little clumsy in the morning and I didn’t fare so well with those chairs.
For a new establishment, the service is quick, personal and SUPER friendly. Ask about one of their pastries and they’ll go into great detail; which is a good thing.
Anyway, I’ll certainly stop by during my next sugar craving, or on my way downtown from South City. I mean, it’s right next to Hodak’s, close to Blues City Deli, and IMHO has the potential to rank among those places as one of the great St. Louis eateries.

So this is a brand spanking new bakery in the old Ice factory building right across the parking lot from Hodak’s. I know there are a few bakeries in the area, but I promise you none like this.
This place is a little upscale, and yes not dirt cheap like Federhofffers, but the quality really REALLY shows. The cakes are all beautiful, and the taste measures up to how good they look. They have a little of everything from your classic chocolate and vanilla cakes to cookies and breads. They are also an ice cream parlor, so if cookies and cakes aren’t quite your sweet treat of choice, there are plenty of other options in which for you to imbibe.
Also, during the week, they will have a lunch special, but I can’t speak for the quality. I can, however, speak for the great ambiance of this place. The ceilings are high and the place is just chill and relaxing and nice. It’s bright and airy and if I was still in school, I can only imagine it would be a great place to chill out and study or even a good place to relax and read the paper on a Sunday.
They have only had their soft open and do not plan on their grand opening until after the new year so just imagine how great this place is going to be when they do finally really get cranking.
I am going to give this place some bonus points for having a ton of parking as well since they get to share the Hodak’s lot. I love it when I don’t need to fight for parking or worry about meters when I am trying to relax and enjoy my calorie laden sweet treats.
Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I do know one of the bakers here, but I can vouch first hand for how incredibly talented of a pastry chef she is, so I am not even going to consider it a bias.